Disney's Next Movie Remake

[Another Voice]

It's said that "revolution" is a very appropriate term. When there's a sudden and radical shift, things usually work themselves over time so that the new régime is not any different than the old one.

The old Disney post-Walt regime was known for making a string of bad, low budget, low concept G-rated films - The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Snowball Express, Super Dad, etc. - that ruined Disney's reputation as a film studio and disconnected them from the audience of the day.

So when the Eisner regime took over there was a whole lot of fussing and fuming that Disney would make real movies, relevant movies, award winning movies - the kind of movies that would once again propel Disney to the front of moviemaking leadership.

Fast forward through the revolution.

Hot on the heels of news that Disney is remaking The Apple Dumpling Gang comes word that Disney will be remaking The Shaggy D.A.. Yes, that Shaggy D.A.. The 1976 film starring Dean Jones and Tim Conway (details, if you dare, at http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0075200/).

The remake will be starring the 1990's version of Mr. Jones - Tim Allen. It's also said that this could be the first in a series of "shaggy dog" movies. The plot finds Mr. Allen as a lawyer running for local office that spends so much time on his career that he neglects his family. When he begins to turn into a sheep dog, he learns a very special lesson about life.

You see, right back to where we started.

Also in the works are makes of Escape from Witch Mountian, The Love Bug and The Barefoot Executive. How they'll fit the "dad too busy for the kids" plot into these movies has yet to be figured out.

And all the while Tron 2.0 sits slowly rotting away…

 

[CasualObserver]

A.V.,

How sad it is today that original ideas are so few and far between in Hollywood. In recent years we have had old television shows turned into feature films, old Saturday morning cartoons turning into feature films, and how many "Freaky Friday" remakes are there?

I work to create original characters in original stories and, yet, I'm surrounded by knock-offs. On one hand it's frustrating because it's hard to sell unique when people are buying a "sure-fire hit" because it used to be a popular television show. On the other, it makes me want to write more because I get my ire up at the crap that is produced and know I'm better.

Yes, creativity is now a rare commodity at Disney. Not dead, but hard to find. When Disney turned into a marketing company they started to believe that they can make anything and then through the brilliance of their marketing dept it will be profitable.

Or maybe Eisner is trying to make it look even better to sell.....

Casual Observer

 

[WDSearcher]

At least Disney didn't have anything to do with the current "Cheaper By the Dozen" remake, which takes its title from the wonderful books by and about the Gilbreth family, but produces none of the story, spirit or heart of them. It's merely a thinly disguised attempt to put a lot of child and teen stars in one film, and does a huge disservice to anyone who remembers the Cheaper by the Dozen books from their childhood. Steve Martin must have owed somebody, and big time, for him to have signed on ...

 

[crusader]

I heard this rumor and wondered if this was another quick filler to accompany the big budget productions.

Casualobserver, I don't know your history but I appreciate what you do.

It's not just the production companies who are to blame for your work environment. It's us.

Sometimes we just want to be entertained in a simple way. We contribute our talents everyday in society the same as you and have to deal with unimaginable situations in our lives.

So we'll go out and see Elf rather than Master and Commander.

If a remake (like the parent trap) is considered a sure hit it's because the company knows the audience will show up not having to risk much.

Sometimes that's all were looking for.

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

I completely understand how everyone is upset about remade movies, especially ones that weren't that good to begin with. I must tell you, however, that I found the new Parent Trap, and Freaky Friday both to be wonderful movies in their own right. I don't know if it's because I am older, or different, or whatever, but I loved them both. So if Disney remakes a movie and I really enjoy the results, then I am just fine with it.

The other end of the arguement is that they should make quality original productions too. I agree with that. Their efforts have been, IMHO, mixed. I loved Pirates, and I loved Nemo. I cannot think of any other originals this year that I thought were very good. (I haven't seen Brother Bear) I thought the Haunted Mansion was a terrible and expensive miss-fire.

I wish to be entertained. Original or remake? I don't care. I want to spend my 10 bucks per head wisely. If a remake is good then bring it on!

 

[wtg2000]

Snowball Express is a classic. If they even try to remake it, thus tainting the exclusivity of the original, they'll have a fight on their hands!

Actually, I enjoyed some of those Kurt Russell, Dean Jones movies when I was a kid. I'm not sure how they would stand up to scrutiny how. The Darn Cat remake was a pale comparison to the original (that one was in Walt's era). Those old movies had a lazy innocence to them. Everything now has to have subtext.

Also, Snowball Express remains special because it was the first time I ever saw WDW. It was 1972, and they ran a WDW promo before the film and I still remember seeing it and wanting nothing more than to go there. It took 14 years to accomplish that.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

As an adult who grew up looking forward to all of those "low tech" movies that supposedly ruined Disney ~ I say hooray if they make decent remakes. I also enjoyed the new Parent Trap and Freaky Friday and was glad that my daughter can see the same type of movie I saw and loved as a kid. The only thing better?? Bring back the originals. I would love to see all of those Disney classics rereleased on DVD. I was watching "The North Avenue Irregulars" a few months ago and TV and had forgotten all about that funny film. We used to be entertained with simple fare, now it seems they have to pull out all the stops to get people to be happy, kids in almost no clothing, bad languange, set, no more G rated movies. I love the classics ~ let's just hope they don't pull out the stops with them.

 

[dzneelvr]

I adored the movies when I was a small child the first go-around. sure, these aren't the teenager type of movies--but then who can compete with the LOTR trilogy and HP??

However, I have neices and nephews under the age of 5 that will love these re-makes. It will be nice to have a decent movie to take them to that isn't a PG-13.

The only "fly in the ointment" for me is Tim Allen. I personally don't like him much but he must have some big contract with Disney--he keeps getting new projects.

I agree the re-makes aren't for everyone's taste...but destroy Disney...come on, that's a bit of a stretch.

WDW in June

 

[Another Voice]

I actually thought the remakes of The Parent Trap and Freaky Friday were good movies.

I just find it interesting that the pre-Eisner studio is blasted for making these kinds of movies, but that now the Einser-era studio is prasied for making exactly the same movie (and I don't mean the same type of movie, I mean the exact same movie). Even mentioning the titles of The Apple Dumpling Gang or The Cat from Outer Space would get you laughed of the lot or bashed off an Internet board. But there are rumors both are currently in the pipeline for remakes.

If the quality keeps, there's nothing wrong with the trend. But everyone said the same thing about all the direct to video sequels as well - and look where those ended up.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

I had no idea the originals were all looked down upon as being terrible. They are some of my favorites from my youth.

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

Yes lets keep this in perspective. Cat from outer space and the Apple Dumpling Gang were not very good movies if you were over about 10 years old. I tried watching the ADG last year to see if my opinion had changed. (It has not!) I always enjoyed Freaky Friday and the Parent Trap originals though. I think the idea was a fine one for a remake, because the original films were done somewhat well. Other films that I enjoyed from that era were the Love Bug original, Darby O'Gill, and the original Shaggy Dog. I liked the Absent Minded Professor too. Though not (the remake)Flubber at all!

It does seem a bit weird for Disney to be re-making so many of it's zany comedies. That aside, as I mentioned before, if the quality is high I will go and enjoy the new ones.